Environmental Carcinogens: An Overview
Carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. These are toxic substances either inhaled from environmental pollution or free radicals produced during body’s metabolic functions. These substances oxidizes and damage cellular structure especially DNA. Any mutagenic substance causing damage to DNA may cause it to replicate nonstop.
Cancer can be caused by exogenous factors i.e. environmental and endogenous (genetic) factors. Exogenous environmental factors have been widely studied especially in occupational areas and industrial areas where toxic carcinogens are produced at dangerous levels.
Cancer project studies show that environmental factors are the biggest cause of cancer, while genetic factors has the lowest threat for cancer. A research report in New England Journal of Medicine showed that genetic factors accounted only for 26% of lung cancer risk, while environmental factors exposed 73% risk in breast cancer, 78% risk in ovary cancer and 58% risk in prostrate cancer (Lichtenstein et al, 2000).
Cancer |
Risk % |
Factors |
Lung |
26 |
Genetic |
Breast |
73 |
Environmental |
Ovary |
78 |
Environmental |
Prostrate |
58 |
Environmental |
[Lichtenstein et al, 2000]
Another study published in Washington Post showed that environmental pollutants and behavioral factors are the major causes of cancer (Weiss, 2000). The study stresses that most chemical pollutants in the environment are carcinogenic. It is not the genetic factors but unhealthy way of life leads to the development of cancerous cells. Environment with industrial wastes smoke, cigarette smoke, smoke released from engines and machinery, water pollutants contains hazardous chemical carcinogens. This condition is further exaggerated by the lifestyle people have adopted. Inappropriate diet and sedentary way of life make them at higher risk of developing this disease. In normal body functioning and metabolic processes, a lot of free radicals are released which are mutagenic and may damage the DNA, genome and other cell structures. Appropriate diet can reduce.....
